Educational Resources
America 250 for Kids
To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and educate children year-round, Kids Upstate, in collaboration with Help Up Works, is implementing America 250 for Kids in our Kids Clubs.
The program features three books by South Carolina author Kate Salley Palmer:
Almost Invisible: Black Patriots of the American Revolution
Palmetto – Symbol of Courage (Battle of Sullivan’s Island)
Francis Marion and the Legend of the Swamp Fox
The first set of lessons focuses on Almost Invisible, with short videos, academic lesson plans, and companion art activities for each patriot.
Help Up Works is sharing these activities with educators and community partners.
View a sample lesson plan, learn more, and get in touch here:
Learn more about the Southern Campaign In the American Revolution
Spartan Regiment flag
Cowpens Traveling Trunk
The Cowpens Traveling Trunk is a National Park Service educational resource for teachers, primarily 4th-grade, featuring reproduction artifacts and activities about the American Revolution, especially the Battle of Cowpens, offering hands-on learning about the Southern Campaign and frontier life, available for pickup by local educators. It's part of a broader system of educational trunks that provide primary sources and lessons for classrooms, helping students understand Revolutionary-era history through artifacts like clothing, tools, and games.
Cowpens Museum
The depot and museum are open by appointment and during special events and holidays. This property is maintained by the Town of Cowpens and the Cowpens Historical Society.
Did You Know?
Spartanburg County is named after the Spartan Regiment, formed late summer 1775, one of the first South Carolina regiments
Spartanburg County has one of the highest number of battles fought during the American Revolution
Battle of Cowpens Battlefield, originally in Spartanburg County, was led by General Daniel Morgan whose outstanding military strategy was key to the successful outcome of one of the most important battles in the American Revolution
What is the 250?
In 1976, America celebrated our Bicentennial. In 2026, we will celebrate our
250th Anniversary or Sestercentennial.
What that means for South Carolina and Spartanburg County in particular;
there is a SC RevWar 250 Commission that is overseeing celebrations
throughout the state. Each county has a committee that is overseeing battle
sites, signage, and re-enactments at battle sites within their county. All leading
up to July 4, 2026.
As we know the Southern Campaign didn’t begin until 1780. Each county has its
own history and story to tell. In Spartanburg County there are 12 battle sites.
Many that led up to the defeat of the British at Cowpens. In 1781, Cowpens
battleground was in the 96 District which became the Spartan District. The
argument can be made that the Ameeixan Revolution was won within the
Spartan District!
Spartanburg played a major role in the winning the American Revolutionary
War and we need your help in preserving what is right in our backyard. Historic
Walnut Grove, battle of Cedar Springs, the Blackstock Battlefield, Fort Thicketty,
Grindal Shoals, Wofford's Iron Works, just to name a few.
One goal of our committee is to bring back Col. Thomas's flintlock from Windsor
Castle. It was captured by the British at the battle of Cedar Springs. Col. Thomas
led the First Spartan Regiment.
The SC RevWar 250 Commission supports each county committee through
grants and networking. Spartanburg has received four separate grants to date.
And we're writing grants as fast as we can!
Ginger Davis, Chair
Spartanburg County 250 Committee
